Dimming control system with distributed command processing

Abstract

A dimming control system includes dimmer modules that receive dimming level information from one of at least two control modules. Each dimmer module includes a microprocessor that provides internal intelligence for controlling power to a load in response to dimming level information. Control modules receive industry standard protocol dimming information from various sources, convert it to dimming level information, and serially communicate the dimming level information to the dimmer modules. Dimmer modules and control modules are mounted in a rack which includes a backplane having a nonvolatile memory device that retains configuration data even if control modules are removed from the rack. An inactive control module can assume control of the rack when an active control module fails.

1 . A method for operating a dimming control system comprising a rack having a plurality of dimmer slots for receiving dimmer modules and a control module slot for receiving a control module, wherein the control module slot is coupled to the dimmer slots to allow the control module to control the dimmer modules, the method comprising: 
 a step for storing operational information for the rack in a non-volatile memory mounted to the rack, whereby the control module can be removed from the rack without affecting the information stored in the nonvolatile memory.    
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the step for storing operational information in the non-volatile memory includes a step for storing configuration data in the non-volatile memory.  
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the step for storing operational information in the non-volatile memory includes a step for storing looks in the non-volatile memory.  
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the step for storing operational information in the non-volatile memory includes a step for programming the non-volatile memory through the control module.  
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 4  wherein the step for programming the non-volatile memory through the control module includes a step for coupling a computer to the control module.  
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 4  wherein the step for programming the non-volatile memory through the control module includes a step for coupling a hand-held controller to the control module.